Systems and methods for facilitating closing of a check

ABSTRACT

Various methods are described for facilitating closing and payment of a check. One example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a physical location associated with the check. The method may further comprise receiving in response a location identifier associated with the physical location. Additionally, the method may comprise determining the check to be closed based at least in part on the location identifier. Another example method may comprise performing an action with a mobile device proximate a folio device. The method may further comprise receiving in response a folio device identifier associated with the folio device. Additionally, the method may comprise providing for transmission of the check information to the folio device based at least in part on the folio device identifier. Similar and related methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.61/817,687, filed Apr. 30, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The service industry continues to grow as technology advances and asservice providers and staff become more technologically savvy.Similarly, as customers of the service industry become more accustomedto technology, expectations increase for more efficient and easyservice. In the restaurant service industry, in particular, there havebeen moderate technological advances. There are still many areas,however, that have not changed significantly over time. One area of therestaurant service industry that continues to frustrate andinconvenience customers and staff alike is closing out and paying thecheck.

Generally, when a customer has finished dining or having drinks, thecustomer must get the attention of the waiter. The waiter must then goto a work station to close out and print the customer's check. Once thecheck is brought back, the customer must then select a form of paymentand again wait on the waiter to collect the check and payment. Thewaiter will then need to return to the work station and complete thesale transaction. In most cases, the waiter must then return to thecustomer to provide change, a receipt, and/or to return a credit ordebit card. Often, when payments are made by credit card, the customersubsequently adds a gratuity on the printed receipt. Some customers donot like for the waiter to see the gratuity amount before the customerhas left the restaurant, but often the waiter will return and collectthe receipt before the customer has left.

The entire check closing and payment process can take a very long time.An otherwise pleasant dining and service experience may be tarnished dueto delaying the customer's ability to pay and leave when they are ready.The delay may often be out of the waiter's control, for example if thereare other waiters lining up to use the work station. Additionally, thewaiter must make several trips back and forth to the customer tocomplete the transaction, all the while the customer is waiting.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide systems, methods,apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating closing andpayment of a check that avoid the above, and other, drawbacks associatedwith the current art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods,apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating closing andpayment of a check. An example method for identifying a check to beclosed with a mobile device may comprise performing an action with themobile device proximate a physical location associated with the check;receiving in response a location identifier associated with the physicallocation; and determining the check to be closed based at least in parton the location identifier.

In an example embodiment, the action may comprise tapping a tagassociated with the physical location.

In another example embodiment, the action may comprise scanning a tagassociated with the physical location.

In yet another example embodiment, tapping the tag may result ininitiating a short range communication with the tag at an instance inwhich the mobile device is sufficiently proximate the tag tocommunicate.

In another example embodiment, the method may further comprisetransferring check information associated with the check to a foliodevice.

In an example embodiment, transferring the check information may furthercomprise performing a second action with the mobile device proximate thefolio device; receiving in response a folio device identifier associatedwith the folio device; and providing for transmission of the checkinformation to the folio device based at least in part on the foliodevice identifier.

In another example embodiment, the second action may comprise tapping atag associated with the folio device.

In yet another example embodiment, the second action may comprisescanning a tag associated with the folio device.

In another example embodiment, tapping the tag associated with the foliodevice may result in initiating a short range communication with the tagassociated with the folio device at an instance in which the mobiledevice is sufficiently proximate the tag associated with the foliodevice to communicate.

Another example method for transferring check information from a mobiledevice to a folio device may comprise performing an action with themobile device proximate the folio device; receiving in response a foliodevice identifier associated with the folio device; and providing fortransmission of the check information to the folio device based at leastin part on the folio device identifier.

In an example embodiment, the action may comprise tapping a tagassociated with the folio device.

In another example embodiment, the action may comprise scanning a tagassociated with the folio device.

In yet another example embodiment, tapping the tag may result ininitiating a short range communication with the tag at an instance inwhich the mobile device is sufficiently proximate the tag tocommunicate.

Another example method for identifying a check to be closed with amobile device may comprise tapping a tag associated with a physicallocation associated with the check to obtain an indication of the check.

Another example method for transferring check information to a foliodevice may comprise tapping a tag associated with a folio device toinitiate transfer of the check information to the folio device.

An example apparatus for identifying a check to be closed may compriseat least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computerprogram code, the at least one memory and the computer program codeconfigured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus atleast to: perform an action with the mobile device proximate a physicallocation associated with the check; receive in response a locationidentifier associated with the physical location; and determine thecheck to be closed based at least in part on the location identifier.

Another example apparatus for transferring check information to a foliodevice may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memorycomprising computer program code, the at least one memory and thecomputer program code configured to, with the at least one processor,cause the apparatus at least to: perform an action with the mobiledevice proximate the folio device; receive in response a folio deviceidentifier associated with the folio device; and provide fortransmission of the check information to the folio device based at leastin part on the folio device identifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of one embodiment of an architecturethat can be used to practice various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic diagram of a generic apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a flowchart for facilitating closing and payment of acheck from the perspective of a mobile device according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a flowchart for facilitating closing and payment of acheck from the perspective of a mobile device according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternativeand conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. Like numbers refer tolike elements throughout.

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of a system 100 that can be used inconjunction with various embodiments of the present invention tofacilitate closing and payment of a check. As shown in FIG. 1, thesystem 100 may include one or more mobile devices 101. For instance, amobile device 101 may comprise a smartphone device, mobile telephone,mobile computer, mobile point-of-sale device, portable digital assistant(PDA), laptop computer, gaming device, electronic tablet, or any othertype of similar electronic device. The system 100 may further includeone or more point-of-sale terminals 105. For example, a point-of-saleterminal 105 may comprise a back-end point-of-sale terminal or the like.Additionally, the system 100 may comprise one or more folio devices 110.For instance, a folio device 110 may comprise a payment device, such asa mobile payment device (e.g., a portable payment device, smartphone, ormobile phone), a fixed-position payment device (e.g., a fixed paymentkiosk or a fixed payment device at a table/location), and/or the like.The system may additionally comprise one or more tag devices 120. A tagdevice 120 may be associated, for example, with a folio device 110 or aphysical location of a customer (e.g., a table or seat at a bar). Eachentity of the system 100 may be connected, directly or indirectly, toone or more other entities of the system 100 via a network 115. Thenetwork 115 may be a wired and/or wireless network comprising one ormore of a local area network, wide area network, cellular network,internet, or the like. In some embodiments, various entities of thesystem 100 may be connected directly to one another separate from thenetwork 115. For example, the mobile device 101 may connect directlywith a tag device 120 or a folio device 110. It should be noted thatother system architectures are contemplated that may be used to practicevarious aspects of the invention. Thus, the system 100 provided in FIG.1 is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to limitthe scope of the invention. Further, while FIG. 1 illustrates certainsystem entities as separate, standalone entities, the variousembodiments are not limited to this particular architecture.

In various embodiments, a mobile device 101, a point-of-sale terminal105, and/or a folio device 110 may be embodied as or otherwise includean apparatus 200 as generically represented by the block diagram of FIG.2. In the example embodiment, the apparatus 200 may comprise variousmeans for performing the various functions herein described. These meansmay comprise one or more of a processor 210, memory 212, communicationinterface 214, user interface 216, or specialized circuitry 218. Thevarious means may be in communication with one another, such as via abus.

The means of the apparatus 200 as described herein may be embodied as,for example, circuitry, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably programmedprocessor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computerprogram product comprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g.,software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory212) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device(e.g., the processor 210), or some combination thereof. In some exampleembodiments, the processor 210, memory 212, communication interface 214,user interface 216, and/or specialized circuitry 218 may be embodied asa chip or chip set.

The processor 210 may, for example, be embodied as various meansincluding circuitry, one or more microprocessors with accompanyingdigital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without anaccompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one ormore multi-core processors, one or more controllers, one or morecomputers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), one or more otherhardware processors, or some combination thereof. Although illustratedin FIG. 2 as a single processor, in some embodiments the processor 210may comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors maybe in operative communication with each other and may be collectivelyconfigured to perform one or more functionalities of the apparatus 200as described herein. The plurality of processors may be embodied on asingle device or distributed across a plurality of devices collectivelyconfigured to function as the apparatus 200.

In some example embodiments, the processor 210 may be configured toexecute instructions stored in the memory 212 or memory otherwiseaccessible to the processor 210. These instructions, when executed bythe processor 210, may cause the apparatus 200 to perform one or more ofthe functionalities of the apparatus 200 as described herein. Further,the processor 210 may comprise functionality to operate one or moresoftware programs, which may be stored in memory. For example, theprocessor 210 may be capable of operating a connectivity program, suchas a web browser. The connectivity program may allow the apparatus 200to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content,according to a protocol, such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP),hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and/or the like. The apparatus 200may be capable of using protocol(s), such as Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), to transmit and receive web contentacross the internet or other networks.

The memory 212 may comprise, for example, volatile memory, non-volatilememory, or some combination thereof. In this regard, the memory 212 maycomprise one or more tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readablestorage media that may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory.Although illustrated in FIG. 2 as a single memory, the memory 212 maycomprise a plurality of memories. The plurality of memories may beembodied on a single device or may be distributed across a plurality ofdevices collectively configured to function as the apparatus 200. Invarious example embodiments, the memory 212 may comprise a magneticstorage device (e.g., hard disk), dynamic and/or static random accessmemory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), cache memory, flash memory,optical disc, subscriber identity module (SIM), removable user identitymodule (R-UIM), circuitry configured to store information, or somecombination thereof. The memory 212 may be configured to storeinformation, data, applications (e.g., software programs), instructions,and/or the like, in some instances for execution by the processor 210,for enabling the apparatus 200 to carry out various functions inaccordance with various example embodiments.

The communication interface 214 may be embodied as any device or meansembodied in circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprisingcomputer readable program instructions stored on a computer readablemedium (for example, the memory 212) and executed by a processing device(for example, the processor 210), or a combination thereof that isconfigured to receive and/or transmit data from/to another computingdevice. The communication interface 214 may include, for example, anantenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, and/or supportinghardware or software for enabling communications with one or more remotedevices. The communication interface 214 may be configured to receiveand/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used forcommunications between devices.

The user interface 216 may be in communication with the processor 210 toreceive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible,visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, the userinterface 216 may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, scanner,printer, mouse, joystick, display (e.g., touch screen display),microphone, speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The processor210 and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor 210 may beconfigured to control one or more functions of the user interface 216through computer program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware)stored on memory (e.g., memory 212) accessible to the processor 210.

The specialized circuitry 218 may be embodied as various means, such ascircuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising computerreadable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (forexample, the memory 212) and executed by a processing device (forexample, the processor 210), or some combination thereof and, in someembodiments, is embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor210.

General Overview

Various embodiments of the present invention provide solutions forimproving the efficiency and reliability of common actions performed bya user, such as a hospitality service provider. Such solutions mayprovide for automating and/or simplifying common transactions. Forexample, an embodiment may provide for quickly and easily associating anobject with an action to be performed. The object may be a physicalobject, such as a table in a restaurant or a folio device 110, and theaction to be performed may be an action (e.g., a gesture) performed by amobile device of a hospitality service provider, such as associating acheck with a table for managing an order or associating a check with afolio device 110 for accepting payment for the check.

In an example embodiment, a hospitality service provider (e.g., a waiterat a restaurant) may provide products and/or services to one or morecustomers. The waiter may open a separate check, or bill, for eachcustomer, or group of customers, and add the items purchased by thecustomer to the check. The waiter may carry a mobile device configuredto store check information for each customer and/or to provide thecustomer check information to, or access the customer check informationfrom, a remote device (e.g., a point of sale terminal). Each customer orgroup may be associated with a particular physical location, such as,for example, a table, a seat at a table, or a seat at a bar. Thephysical location may be associated with a location identifier, such asa unique number or code. The location identifier may be provided at thephysical location, or other location, in a form that may be directly orindirectly acquired by a mobile device. A customer's check may beassociated with the location identifier of the physical location of thecustomer to facilitate identification and retrieval of the customer'scheck.

According to this example embodiment, the waiter may wish to provide acustomer with her check to be paid for the products and/or servicesrendered. The check may be provided in such a way to allow the customerto pay the check without further interaction from the waiter or anyother staff. As a general overview, the waiter may first retrieve thecheck to be closed. The check may be one currently presented oraccessible to the waiter via the mobile device. In other instances, thewaiter may retrieve the check by tapping or scanning with his mobiledevice a tag associated with the customer's location. Doing so allowsthe mobile device to obtain the location identifier for that locationvia short range communication or scanning. The mobile device mayretrieve the check using the obtained location identifier. In thisexample embodiment, the waiter may then use or repeat the tap or scanprocess with a folio device 110 to transfer the customer's checkinformation to the folio device 110. That is, the waiter may select afolio device 110 and tap or scan it, or a tag associated with it, withhis mobile device to identify the folio device 110 to the mobile device.The mobile device may then initiate the transfer of the check details tothe identified folio device 110. Once the check has been transferred,the waiter may provide the folio device 110 to the customer for payment.The customer may use the folio device 110 to effect payment withoutfurther input from the waiter.

Detailed Embodiments

Turning to a more detailed description of a process for facilitatingclosing and payment of a check by a user at a business according tovarious embodiments of the present invention. In example embodiments, auser may open and add items to a check for a customer or group ofcustomers located at a particular area in a business. When there are nofurther items to add to the check, the user may close the check andtransfer the check to a folio device 110. The folio device 110 may beprovided to the customer to allow for payment of the check withoutfurther assistance from the user. The user may be a waiter, salesrepresentative, employee of the business, and/or the like; and abusiness may be a restaurant, bar, store, movie theater, shop, and/orthe like. For simplicity, the embodiments below are described withrespect to a waiter and a restaurant. It should be understood, however,that various embodiments contemplate users and businesses other thanwaiters and restaurants.

The waiter may perform various actions related to the check using amobile device 101. The mobile device 101 may be the waiter's personaldevice (e.g., smartphone) or a device (e.g., a handheld device) providedtemporarily to the waiter by the restaurant. The mobile device 101 maybe configured to connect to a network (e.g., network 115) to facilitatethe check closing and payment process. The network may be, for example,a network for which access is provided by the restaurant. In thisregard, the network may be a local network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) withor without access to an external network (e.g., the internet).Communication between the mobile device 101 and a point-of-sale terminal105 may occur via the network. In this regard, the mobile device 101 andthe point-of-sale terminal 105 may share information back and forth, forexample, about one or more checks associated with one or more customers.In an example embodiment, the mobile device 101 may send messages to thepoint-of-sale terminal 105 requesting to open or indicating the openingof a check, identifying the physical location (e.g., table) associatedwith the check, providing indications of the items selected for purchaseby the customer, requesting to close or indicating the closing of acheck, and requesting to transfer or indicating the transfer of a check,as further described below.

According to example embodiments, the mobile device 101 may beconfigured to open a check, or check, for a customer or group ofcustomers at the restaurant. The mobile device 101 may provide fordisplay of a user interface to the waiter comprising an option to open,or create, a new check for a customer. In some instances, opening thecheck may comprise the mobile device 101 communicating with thepoint-of-sale terminal 105 to open the check on the point-of-saleterminal 105. In other embodiments, the check may have been previouslyopened by the point-of-sale terminal 105 and the mobile device 101 mayopen the existing check locally. The mobile device 101 and/orpoint-of-sale terminal 105 may be configured to store the opened check,for example, in memory. Additional information associated with thecheck, such as a location identifier for the physical location of thecustomer, may be stored in association (e.g., linked) with the check.For example, each table, seat, and/or bar seat at the restaurant may beassociated with a unique location identifier (e.g., a code, text oralphanumeric string, or number). The location identifier may, forexample, comprise an indication of the table or seat number. In someembodiments, the additional information may comprise other identifyinginformation associated with the customer. For example, the additionalinformation may comprise a customer name, description, photo, and/or thelike. The mobile device 101 may store the location identifier and otheradditional information in association with the check to assist thewaiter, mobile device 101, and point-of-sale terminal 105 withcorrelating the correct check with the correct customer.

Once the check has been opened, the mobile device 101 may be configuredto add items for purchase to the check. In this regard, the mobiledevice 101 may receive input from the waiter regarding items thecustomer requests to purchase or has already purchased. For example, thewaiter may take the customer's food order and add the requested fooditems to the check via the mobile device 101 (e.g., via a userinterface). The mobile device 101, in certain embodiments, may beconfigured to provide an indication of the items to the point-of-saleterminal 105.

The mobile device 101 may be configured, in example embodiments, to addadditional details to the check. The mobile device 101 may be configuredto store an indication of the waiter or waiters providing service forthe check, such as the name of the waiter. Payment details, such ascustomer loyalty information, coupon or discount information, and/ordesignations of items on the check to a particular guest (e.g., toenable check-splitting) may be added to the check by the mobile device101. In some instances, the check may include instructions or orders toadditional staff (e.g., kitchen staff) related to the items on thecheck.

According to example embodiments, the mobile device 101 may beconfigured to receive an indication to close a check. In this regard,the mobile device 101 may receive input from the waiter indicating thata check is ready to be paid. For example, the mobile device 101 may beconfigured to present a user interface to the waiter comprising anoption to close a check. The mobile device 101 may then receive aselection from the waiter via the user interface to close the check.

The mobile device 101 may receive an indication of the check to beclosed. In certain embodiments, the mobile device 101 may receive aselection by a waiter of a check stored on the mobile device 101 orpoint-of-sale terminal 105. For example, the mobile device 101 maypresent a plurality of checks from which the desired check may beselected by the waiter. In other embodiments, the input received fromthe waiter may indicate that the check to be closed is the checkcurrently displayed by the mobile device 101. In yet other embodiments,the mobile device 101 may receive or obtain an indication of thelocation identifier associated with the check, as further describedbelow.

According to various embodiments, the mobile device 101 may receive orobtain an indication of the location identifier associated with thecheck to be closed based at least in part on an action performed by themobile device 101. The mobile device 101 may perform the action inrelation to a location identifier indicator. The location identifierindicator may be, in some instances, a tag (e.g., a tag device 120)associated with the physical location associated with the check to beclosed. In this regard, the tag may be located at or nearby the physicallocation (e.g., table), for example attached to or embedded in thephysical location or to an object proximate the physical location.

In some instances, the location identifier indicator, or tag, may beconfigured to provide for short range communication. For example, thetag may be configured to communicate according to a certain wirelessstandard or technology, such as Radio-frequency identification (RFID),Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC),peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, other radio frequency transmissions, and/or thelike. In these instances, the mobile device 101 may perform a tap actionto obtain the location identifier. For example, the waiter may tap thetag with the mobile device 101. Tapping the tag may comprise bringingthe mobile device 101 in contact with the tag or bringing the mobiledevice 101 proximate the tag. The tapping action may be performedrelatively quickly, as in a typical tapping action, or in some cases mayinvolve maintaining the mobile device 101 proximate the tag for a longerperiod of time. When close to or in contact with the tag, the mobiledevice 101 may be configured to communicate with the tag via short rangecommunication. In this regard, the mobile device 101 may be configuredto receive an indication of a location identifier from the tag. Themobile device 101 may automatically communicate with a tag whenever atag is tapped. In other embodiments, the mobile device 101 may receiveinput from the waiter prior to the tapping action to temporarily enablethe short range communication.

In other instances, the location identifier indicator, or tag, maycomprise a scannable code. For example, the tag may comprise a static ordynamic one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code (e.g., a QuickResponse (QR) code). In these instances, the mobile device 101 mayperform a scan action to obtain the location identifier. In this regard,the mobile device 101 may be configured to scan the bar code displayedby the tag. The bar code associated with the tag may encode anindication of the location identifier. The mobile device 101 may scanthe tag using a built-in or separate bar code scanner, an imager, acamera, and/or the like. In this way, the mobile device 101 may obtainthe location identifier from the bar code associated with the tag.

In yet other instances, the location identifier indicator, or tag, maycomprise a human readable code. For example, the tag may display thelocation identifier as a text, numeric, or alphanumeric string. In theseinstances, the mobile device 101 may be configured to receive input fromthe waiter comprising the location indicator. In this regard, the waitermay read the location indicator from the tag and manually input thelocation identifier into the mobile device 101.

According to various embodiments, the mobile device 101 may retrieve thecheck to be closed, including the associated check information (e.g.,items ordered, cost, tax). The retrieval of the check may be based atleast in part on the selection and/or indication received identifyingthe check. For example, a unique check identifier (e.g., a check number,text or alphanumeric string, or code), or location identifier associatedwith the check, contained in the indication and/or selection may be usedby the mobile device 101 to retrieve the check. In some instances, thecheck information may be retrieved from the mobile device 101 (e.g.,from the memory of the mobile device 101). In other instances, the checkinformation may be retrieved by the mobile device 101 from thepoint-of-sale terminal 105 (e.g., from the memory of the point-of-saleterminal 105). In instances in which the waiter selects the currentlydisplayed check, the mobile device 101 may already possess or may havealready retrieved the check information. The mobile device 101 may beconfigured to provide feedback to the waiter related to the success orfailure to retrieve the check. The feedback may be visual, audible,haptic, or otherwise. For example, the mobile device 101 may beconfigured to produce light (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) havingone or more pulses, colors, intensities, and/or durations; sound havingone or more frequencies, volumes, and/or durations; vibrations havingone or more frequencies, amplitudes, and durations; and/or any otheroutput such as a prompt (e.g., a software pop-up) or indication on adisplay of the mobile device 101.

In example embodiments, the waiter may select a folio device 110, whichmay be used to provide the check information to the customer and toreceive payment. The mobile device 101 may communicate with the foliodevice 110 to establish that the folio device 110 will be used to handlepayment of the check. In some instances, the mobile device 101 mayreceive from the selected folio device 110 an indication of a foliodevice identifier associated with the folio device 110. The folio deviceidentifier may be, for example, a unique text, numeric, or alphanumericstring or code assigned to the folio device 110. In certain embodiments,the physical location of the folio device 110 need not be known, nordoes the folio device 110 need be pre-configured by the mobile device101 or a point-of-sale terminal 105 prior to communication with themobile device 101. In yet other embodiments, the folio device 110 neednot be aware of the communication with the mobile device 101. Forexample, the folio device 110 may be a third party device unaware of aphysical tag associated with it by the restaurant. That is, the mobiledevice 101 may communicate with the tag associated with the folio device110 to identify the folio device 110 rather than communicating with thefolio device 110 itself. In this example, the folio device 110 may onlycommunicate with the point-of-sale terminal 105.

The mobile device 101 may use the folio device identifier to facilitatetransfer of the check information to the folio device 110. For example,the mobile device 101 may use the folio device identifier to identifyand communicate with the folio device 110 over a network connection(e.g., a wireless connection), which may be between the mobile device101 and the folio device 110 via one or more intervening entities of thenetwork 115 (e.g., the point-of-sale terminal 105). In this example, themobile device 101 may transmit the folio device identifier to thepoint-of-sale terminal 105, which may use the identifier to locate thefolio device 110, and the point-of-sale terminal 105 may transmit thecheck information to the folio device 110. In other instances, themobile device 101 may establish a direct connection with the foliodevice 110. The mobile device 101 may then transmit the checkinformation directly to the folio device 110 via the connection. In someinstances, the check may not be further modified once the check has beenfinalized and transferred to the folio device 110.

According to certain embodiments, the mobile device 101 may perform anaction to enable transfer of the check information to the folio device110. In this regard, the mobile device 101 may perform an action toenable receiving the folio device identifier or to enable the directconnection with the folio device 110. The action performed by the mobiledevice 101 may be similar to the tap action or scan action describedabove with respect to obtaining the location identifier. In someinstances, the tap action or scan action may be used to receive thefolio device identifier from a folio device identifier indicator, suchas a tag, associated with the folio device 110. For example, the mobiledevice 101 may be configured to scan a bar code associated or displayedby the folio device 110. In other instances, the tap action or scanaction may be used to initiate communication between the mobile device101 and the folio device 110 such that a direct connection (e.g., aBluetooth®, BLE, RFID, peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, or NFC connection) betweenthe two may be established and used to transmit the check information.For example, the mobile device 101 may discover, pair, or automaticallyestablish a connection with the folio device 110 when the two devicesare brought within range of each other. In yet other instances, themobile device 101 may receive the folio device identifier via manualinput from the waiter. For example, the waiter may read the folio deviceidentifier from the folio device 110 and input the information into themobile device 101 (e.g., via a user interface).

In other embodiments, the folio device 110 may be configured to performone or more of the actions in relation to the location identifierindicator and the mobile device 101. For example, the folio device 110may be configured to tap the tag, scan the bar code, or receive input ofthe human readable code associated with the location identifierindicator to retrieve the check. In another example, the mobile device101 may first retrieve the check as in the above embodiments. In thisexample, the mobile device 101 may comprise or display a tag, bar code,or human readable code. The folio device 110 may be configured to tapthe tag, scan the bar code, or receive input of the human readable codeto initiate transfer of the check from the mobile device 101 to thefolio device 110.

According to example embodiments, the folio device 110 may be providedto the customer for effecting payment of the check. The folio device 110may permit one or more customers to pay the check in whole, in part, orin parts. In certain instances, no further interaction may be requiredfrom the waiter or mobile device 101 to complete the paymenttransaction. In this regard, the folio device 110 may be configured toreceive payment for the check. For example, the folio device 110 may beequipped with a credit/debit card reader and/or may be configured toreceive payment electronically, such as via a mobile wallet or onlinepayment account. In this example, the folio device 110 may be configuredto receive payment in the form of a bank or debit card, credit card,loyalty card, stored value or gift card, and/or the like. In someinstances, the folio device 110 may require further information forsecurity purposes, such as a personal identification number (PIN),postal code (e.g., zip code), card verification value (CVV), one-timeuse code (e.g., received via text message), and/or the like.

In example embodiments, the folio device 110 may receive payment via anaccount token (e.g., a fob, keychain tag, or similar personal articlecarried by the guest) or a device (e.g., a mobile phone, wearablecomputer, or other computing device carried by the guest) containingpersonally identifiable payment information, such as on a magneticstripe, stored in memory accessible by a processor, or printed orembossed in alphanumeric or bar code form. The folio device 110 mayobtain the payment information from the token or device via one or moreof a magnetic stripe reader, barcode scanner, imaging scanner, camera,processor interface (e.g., based on electrical contacts), NFC, RFID,BLE, peer-to-peer, Wi-Fi, or other radio interface techniques. The tokenor device may be presented by one or more customers associated with thecheck.

According to example embodiments, one or more payment sessions may beopened between the folio device 110 and the mobile device 101 and/orpoint-of-sale terminal 105 by the folio device 110, mobile device 101,or point-of-sale terminal 105. In this regard, the folio device 110 maybe permitted to apply payments to the check. In some instances, thecustomer's payment information may be sent by the folio device 110directly to a payment service without ever being sent to the waiter'smobile device 101 or a point-of-sale terminal 105. For example, thefolio device 110 may be the customer's personal mobile device (e.g., asmartphone or mobile phone) and may be configured to accept payment viaa mobile wallet. In other instances, the customer's payment informationmay be sent by the folio device 110 to a point-of-sale terminal 105(e.g., a back end point-of-sale device) without ever being sent to thewaiter's mobile device 101.

The folio device 110 may further be configured to accept gratuity fromthe customer for the customer service. In some instances, the foliodevice 110 may facilitate the redemption of loyalty program awardsand/or the accrual of loyalty program points. The folio device 110 mayprint or email to the customer a receipt reflecting the details of thetransaction. Once the folio device 110 receives payment from thecustomer, the customer has finished the transaction and may leavewithout further interaction with the waiter. In certain embodiments, thepayment transaction may require further interaction with the waiter. Forexample, the customer may pay with cash and require change from thewaiter that the folio device 110 may not be configured to provide. Inother embodiments, the folio device 110 may only be used forcredit/debit/electronic payment. The payment, gratuity, loyalty programinformation, and/or the like may be posted by the folio device 110 orthe mobile device 101 to the point-of-sale terminal 105.

According to example embodiments, the folio device 110 may provide anindication to the customer and/or waiter that a payment has been made.The indication may be associated with the full payment of the check orthe payment of a portion of a check (e.g., a customer paying his or herportion of the check). The indication may comprise producing light(e.g., via an LED) having one or more pulses, colors, intensities,and/or durations; sound having one or more frequencies, volumes, and/ordurations; vibrations having one or more frequencies, amplitudes, anddurations; and/or any other output such as a prompt (e.g., a softwarepop-up) or indication on the mobile device 101 and/or the folio device110.

In example embodiments, the mobile device 101 may be configured to clearthe closed check. For example, after the mobile device 101 transfers thecheck information to the folio device 110, the mobile device 101 may beconfigured to delete the check from the mobile device 101, point-of-saleterminal 105, and/or the entire system. In some instances, the entirerecord of the check may be deleted. In other instances, the check may becleared of all transaction information and reused. The same check may bereused for the same physical location or, in certain instances, theassociation between the check and the physical location may be removedso that the check may be reused with a new physical location.

FIG. 3 provides a flowchart according to an example method forfacilitating closing and payment of a check. The operations performed bya method, apparatus, and computer program product of this exampleembodiment are illustrated from the perspective of an apparatus 200embodied as a mobile device 101. The apparatus 200 embodied by themobile device 101 may comprise means, such as the specializationcircuitry 218, the processor 210, or the like. In this exampleembodiment, the various operations may be performed by the specializedcircuitry 218 embodied as check closing circuitry. The method,apparatus, and computer program product for identifying a check with amobile device may comprise performing an action with the mobile deviceproximate a physical location associated with the check at operation300. At operation 305, the method, apparatus, and computer programproduct may comprise receiving in response a location identifierassociated with the physical location. The method, apparatus, andcomputer program product may comprise identifying the check based atleast in part on the location identifier at operation 310.

FIG. 4 provides a flowchart according to an example method forfacilitating closing and payment of a check. The operations performed bya method, apparatus, and computer program product of this exampleembodiment are illustrated from the perspective of an apparatus 200embodied as a mobile device 101. The apparatus 200 embodied by themobile device 101 may comprise means, such as the specializationcircuitry 218, the processor 210, or the like. In this exampleembodiment, the various operations may be performed by the specializedcircuitry 218 embodied as check transferring circuitry. The method,apparatus, and computer program product for transferring checkinformation from a mobile device to a folio device may compriseperforming an action with the mobile device proximate the folio deviceat operation 400. At operation 405, the method, apparatus, and computerprogram product may comprise receiving in response a folio deviceidentifier associated with the folio device. The method, apparatus, andcomputer program product may comprise providing for transmission of thecheck information to the folio device based at least in part on thefolio device identifier at operation 410.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a flowchart of a system, method, and computerprogram product according to example embodiments of the invention. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such ashardware and/or a computer program product comprising one or morecomputer-readable mediums having one or more computer program codeinstructions, program instructions, or executable computer-readableprogram code instructions stored therein. For example, one or more ofthe procedures described herein may be embodied by computer programinstructions of a computer program product. In this regard, the computerprogram product(s) that embodies the procedures described herein may bestored by one or more memory devices (e.g., memory 212) of an apparatus,server, or other computing device (e.g., apparatus 200) and executed bya processor (e.g., processor 210) in the computing device. In someembodiments, the computer program instructions comprising the computerprogram product(s) that embodies the procedures described above may bestored by memory devices of a plurality of computing devices. As will beappreciated, any such computer program product may be loaded onto acomputer or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe computer program product including the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus creates means forimplementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).

Execution of instructions associated with the operations of theflowchart by a processor, or storage of instructions associated with theblocks or operations of the flowchart in a computer-readable storagemedium, supports combinations of operations for performing the specifiedfunctions. It will also be understood that one or more operations of theflowchart, and combinations of blocks or operations in the flowchart,may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systemsand/or processors which perform the specified functions, or combinationsof special purpose hardware and program code instructions.

Numerous benefits may be realized from the implementation of embodimentsof the present invention. In various advantageous embodiments, a waitermay be able to quickly identify a check to be closed using a tap or scanaction with a mobile device. In other advantageous embodiments, themobile device may quickly transfer information about the check to beclosed to any available folio device. In this regard, the waiter may beable to avoid using a shared work station or point-of-sale terminal toperform the above actions. Some advantageous embodiments permit a waiterto provide a folio device containing the check information to a customerthat allows the customer to complete payment via the folio device withno further input required from the waiter. In an advantageousembodiment, a waiter may use their mobile device to tap a tag associatedwith a customer's table to identify the check to be closed; tap a foliodevice with the mobile device to transfer the check information to thefolio device; and provide the folio device to the customer to completepayment for the transaction. Advantageous embodiments avoid cumbersome,time-consuming, and awkward manual steps that are prone to errors, suchas retrieving the incorrect check. Certain advantageous embodimentsincrease efficiency by separating the devices used by waiters to takeorders from the devices used by customers to tender payment. In variousadvantageous embodiments, customers are able to pay for their checksusing their own mobile devices in a simple and efficient manner. Someadvantageous embodiments provide for convenient coordination andinterfacing between mobile and fixed point-of-sale devices and foliopayment devices, even when the devices are from different vendors.

Various modifications may be made to the above described embodimentswithin the scope of the invention, for example, in other embodiments themobile device 101 may use a tap action or a scan action to open thecheck at the beginning of the customer's dining transaction.

In other embodiments, a separate folio device 110 may be associated witheach physical location. In this regard, when the customer is ready fortheir check, the waiter may use the mobile device 101 to perform a tapor scan action of a tag device 120 associated with the customer'sphysical location to retrieve the check information and then tap thefolio device 110 located at the table to transfer the check informationfor accepting payment.

In yet other embodiments, the folio device identifier and the locationidentifier may be the same identifier. In these embodiments, the foliodevice 110 may be associated with the physical location. In this regard,the waiter may use the mobile device 101 to perform a tap or scan actionof a tag device 120 associated with the folio device 110 to retrieve thecheck information, and then tap the folio device 110 again to transferthe check information to the folio device 110 for accepting payment.

In other embodiments, the mobile device 101 and folio device 110 maycommunicate via coded light or other visible transmissions, coded audiotransmissions, other electronic signal transmissions, and/or the like.

In yet other embodiments, the folio device 110 may be provided by adifferent vendor than the mobile device 101. In these embodiments, a tag(e.g., an RFID tag or QR code) may be associated with or affixed to thefolio device 110. The tag may comprise a tag identifier associated withthe tag and a physical identifier associated with the folio device 110.In this regard, the mobile device 101 may perform an action (e.g., a tapgesture or scan) in relation to the tag to obtain the physicalidentifier of the folio device 110, and in some instances the tagidentifier. The mobile device 101 may use the physical identifier toestablish a connection with the folio device 110 to transfer the check.In other instances, the mobile device 101 may transmit the physicalidentifier, and in some instances the tag identifier, to thepoint-of-sale terminal 105 and the point-of-sale terminal 105 mayestablish a connection with the folio device 110 to transfer the check.In these instances, the folio device 110 may not be aware of the actionperformed by the mobile device 101 in relation to the tag.

In other embodiments, a fixed point-of-sale terminal 105 may perform allor a portion of the operations described above with respect to a mobiledevice 101. In this regard, the fixed point-of-sale terminal 105 may beused to open a check, add items to a check, transfer a check to a foliodevice 110, and/or the like. The fixed point-of-sale terminal 105 mayoperate in collaboration with one or more mobile devices 101. Forexample, a fixed point-of-sale terminal 105 may open a check and additems, a mobile device 101 may then retrieve the check and addadditional items, and the fixed point-of-sale terminal 105 may be usedto close the check and transfer the check to a portfolio device 110. Inother examples, the fixed point-of-sale terminal 105 may operate inplace of mobile devices 101. In this regard, the fixed point-of-saleterminal 105 may perform the operations performed by the mobile device101 as described above, including with respect to a folio device 110.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. The methodsdescribed herein may be performed by software in machine readable formon a tangible storage medium or as a propagating signal.

The terms “comprising”, “including”, “incorporating”, and “having” areused herein to recite an open-ended list of one or more elements orsteps, not a closed list. When such terms are used, those elements orsteps recited in the list are not exclusive of other elements or stepsthat may be added to the list.

Unless otherwise indicated by the context, the terms “a” and “an” areused herein to denote at least one of the elements, integers, steps,features, operations, or components mentioned thereafter, but do notexclude additional elements, integers, steps, features, operations, orcomponents.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings describe example embodiments in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scopeof the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions other than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for identifying a check listing an item ina transaction for which payment is due comprising: performing an actionproximate a tag at a physical location associated with the check and acustomer with a portable device coupled to a transaction system;wirelessly receiving in response to the action a unique locationidentifier associated with the physical location from the tag by theportable device; associating the check with the location identifier bythe portable device; and obtaining the check listing the item from amemory based at least in part on the unique location identifier from thetag by the portable device.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein theaction comprises tapping or scanning the tag.
 23. The method of claim 22wherein the tag comprises a radio interface device or a scannable barcode.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein tapping the tag results ininitiating a short range communication with the tag at an instance inwhich the portable device is sufficiently proximate the tag tocommunicate.
 25. A transaction method comprising: performing an actionproximate a tag at a physical location associated with a customer with aportable device coupled to a transaction system; wirelessly receiving inresponse to the action a unique location identifier associated with thephysical location from the tag by the portable device; and opening acheck in a memory of the transaction system including associating thecheck with the customer and the location identifier by the portabledevice.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising: performing theaction with the portable device proximate the tag; wirelessly receivingin response to the action the unique location identifier associated withthe physical location from the tag by the portable device; identifyingthe check from the memory of the transaction system by the portabledevice based at least in part on the unique location identifier from thetag by the portable device; and closing the check in the transactionsystem by the portable device.